Enhancing Advanced Materials with Oxford Space Systems
Innovation in Orbit - Enhancing Advanced Materials with Oxford Space Systems
Helping deliver stronger, more consistent, and more cost-effective space technology through better materials and smarter manufacturing.
Oxford Space Systems (OSS) develops deployable composite antennas for satellites and spacecraft, operating in a rapidly growing global space market, where performance and reliability are essential. As demand increased across low Earth orbit (LEO), beyond LEO, and lunar missions, OSS saw an opportunity to enhance their materials and manufacturing processes to support future growth and mission diversity.
That’s where NCC came in.
The Challenge - Preparing for Scale and New Mission Classes
OSS wanted to build on their strong foundations and prepare for the next phase of growth. To do that, they needed to:
• Increase coating consistency and efficiency
• Explore higher performance material systems for more demanding environments
• Introduce scalable, repeatable manufacturing processes
• Strengthen the UK and European supply chain
Drawing on its unique materials expertise and advanced manufacturing capability, NCC worked alongside OSS to take a whole system view from coatings to cutting, materials to manufacturing readiness.
We Did - Materials, Processes and Supply Chain Strengthening
Enhanced Coatings for Consistency and Scale.
To unlock future growth opportunities, OSS needed a coating approach that supported higher throughput and improved repeatability. NCC recommended a spray applied system helped suggest a range of suitable materials that could meet OSS requirements. The new coating improved consistency and provided a more scalable route to increased output.
• It now has flight heritage on a LEO science mission
• The collaboration between OSS and NCC brought a UK SME into the Space industry’s supply chain
Advanced Resin System Enabling New Missions
To support missions beyond LEO, OSS explored improved material performance. NCC supported the transition to a higher performance resin system.
• OSS and a European partner co invested in a new composite manufacturing process
• This world first component has opened access to new mission classes, including lunar
• OSS is now in a stronger position to compete for higher value opportunities across future missions
Manufacturing Solutions for Scale Up
To support complex machining tasks, NCC suggested multiple alternatives to traditional machining as well as advanced non destructive testing (NDT) to enhance inspection and production reliability.
• Reduced waste and rework
• Improved repeatability and throughput
• An additional UK supplier now active in the space supply chain
The Impact - Commercial Growth and Supply Chain Strengthening
This project demonstrates how NCC helps innovative companies translate advanced engineering into commercial growth. By improving manufacturing readiness, introducing new supply chain capability and enabling access to new missions, the project has strengthened OSS's position in an expanding global space market.
• OSS is on track to qualify new materials and extend its product offering to new and existing customers
• Two UK suppliers have entered the space sector, strengthening sovereign capability and creating new opportunities within UK supply chains.
• The project has improved the UK's capacity to deliver advanced composite technologies for strategically important space missions.
What’s Next
NCC will continue working with OSS as they expand their composite technology development and scale their production capability.
This is the kind of impact NCC aims to deliver, helping ambitious UK companies turn complex engineering challenges into commercial success, while strengthening the UK’s space ecosystem.
Contact our team today: [email protected]